Bamboo Grove - Indian Contemporary Impressionism - landscape painting

Bamboo Grove

en plein air painting done at Lal Bagh - Bengaluru

36"x24" inch

acrylic on canvas

Framed view of 'Bamboo Grove' - as displayed at 'The Drawing Room Musings' - group art show held at Chitra Kala Parishad from 16th to 25th May 2011.

Painting of Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - contemporary impressionism - usha shanthraram

'Siesta' - a view of  Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. 

acrylic painting on canvas -

size 32x24 inch

white frame

I had a clear idea of what colors to use, what format to adopt, and how to create the illusion of moving waters - much before I started on this painting. But, it was the serene atmosphere, tranquility and a sense of peace that I wanted to project - because that is what I felt that afternoon, when I was really there - at the Ranganthittu Bird Sancturay.  

It took me just 2 days to finish this painting, and I never felt the need to retouch it even for minor changes - after that.  

View of 'Siesta' painting, framed in white and displayed at Chitra Kala Parishad  at  the group art show called 'The Drawing Room Musings'.  

BIRD HAVEN - Indian Impressionist Landscapes - usha shantharam

BIRD HAVEN - acrylic on canvas - 24"x32"

A visit to the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway was like visiting the 'Bird World' on planet earth.  A different experience altogether.  One could spend hours on the banks of the Cauvery River watching all kinds of birds from the pure white pelicans, to the jet black bats hanging upside down on the trees. 

One particular spot was very much like a bird haven crowned with the lighted edges of the tall bushes, and a large area of shadow on the river where the birds rested on tiny islands of rocks.  So the painting 'Bird Haven' came into being.  

I used umpteen varieties of blues and greens to achieve the effects of cast shadows and form shadows in this painting.  The result is a shimmering blue-green painting which has caught many a viewer to spend more than ten minutes watching it - during our recently concluded group art show - The Drawing Room Musings. 

A view of 'Bird Haven' framed  and displayed during the recently concluded group art show  

 'The Drawing Room Musings'.

Impressionist Landscapes - Indian - SUNRISE ON THE NILGIRIS

Sunrise on the Nilgiris

24"x32"

acrylic on canvas

framed 

This painting is a result of layering a number of blues and greens painted using the 'glazing' technique. 

Just tried to capture the beauty of the Nilgiri Hills from atop 'Fernhill' at Ooty, as no words could have explained the beauty of the moment. 

A view of the painting 'Sunrise on the Nilgiris' in a white frame, as displayed during the group show 'The Drawing Room Musings'.

Two Paintings of views across Lal Bagh Lake - usha shantharam

Standing at any point on the radius of the Lal Bagh Lake gives a breathtaking view of the opposite side of the Lake's bank.  

Two such views are the paintings of  'Jogger's Pathway' and ' The Lakeview Reflections' done in a panoramic format. 

Jogger's  Pathway

oil on canvas

12"x24" 

framed

The jogger's path with a border of orange Jacuaranda trees in full blossom, and a fencing that is barely visible, throws a colorful reflection on the almost still waters of the Lal Bagh Lake - disturbed only by a gentle breeze that blew delicate ripples on its surface.  Irresistable for any plein air painting aritst like me, this view soon became a painting .  

Lakeview Reflections

acrylic on canvas

12"x24" 

framed

The interesting design formed by the jogger's path on the left, the bridge, the S shaped curves of the palm tree and the huge crowns of the trees on the island -  all these combined with its ditto reflection on the almost still waters of the Lal Bagh Lake inspired me into painting this breathtaking view 'en plein air'.  

A view of both these paintings - now framed; as displayed during the recently concluded group art show 'The Drawing Room Musings'.    

Invitation to 'THE DRAWING ROOM MUSINGS' group art show

You are invited 

Click on 'THE DRAWING ROOM MUSINGS'  to view the paintings displayed at the show.